365Caws is now in its 14th year of publication, and was originally intended to end after 365 days. It has sometimes been difficult for me to find new material, particularly during the winter months, but now as I enter my own twilight years, I cannot guarantee that I will be able to provide daily posts. It is my hope that along the way I may have inspired someone to a greater curiosity about the natural world. If so, I can rest, content in the knowledge that my work here has been done.
Tuesday, June 7, 2022
Paxistima Myrsinites, Oregon Boxwood
Day 237: The tiny pink flowers of Oregon Boxwood are difficult to spot unless you're specifically looking for them, measuring no more than 3-4 mm from tip to tip. The species is native to the Pacific Northwest and occurs from British Columbia to northern Mexico and east to Montana, its glossy, toothed foliage distinguishing it from any look-alike. The second half of its binomial Paxistima myrsinites points to the dark green leaf as resembling that of myrtle, although the growth habit of the shrub is more open than that of Myrtus. It is evergreen, and is often sold as a landscaping plant (hardy to Zone 3), and is especially desirable when creating native gardens. It seldom exceeds 36 inches in height and may be pruned to keep it more compact. It is also known by the endearing common name, "Mountain-lover."
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